I'm on the hunt for a cheapie for a friend - got a line a Cort for silly cheap but can't play it first. Seller is clueless - what do we think? Finish crack or something more sinister?
In the Duchossoir Tele book, he argues that Leo went with ash on the Broadcaster because he was a fan of the "modern" furniture of the day that featured a translucent limed finish over "clear blond hardwood."
Also from digging in my books I found a pic of a 1963 Strat with mahogany body (50th...
Stevie "chose" from what was on offer in the late 80's. :) The SRV sig is very much a product of that time - and unique features like Pau Ferro, Texas Specials and XXL jumbos frets are now standard on budget conscious models in the line. A sig reboot based on the Original series could make it...
Poly finish, Texas Specials and Pau Ferro are features used on moderately priced Fenders in this day and age. IMHO the sig should use the American Original series as a base, and better approximate what SRV actually used.
I prefer it the traditional way too. Chris Swope @Guitaronimo specced the Wood Library run of DC22s to have the colour floated over clear. Looks wonderful in the flesh.
It matters, but it shouldn’t. I’ve seen custom shop Fenders without certs fetch less than American Vintage guitars that don’t come with them in the first place. Very easy to verify a CS Fender.
People are desperate for the validation that comes with that piece of paper.
Cost of production in Japan is high - perhaps higher than paying burger flippers to crank em out in the US. If Gibson shift operations overseas, it’ll be to a country with cheap labour.
Sad to see the brand come to a close - it represented everything good about small American manufacturing. Quality, innovation and peerless customer service (even on used guitars!) Incredible. Thanks for everything Ron & team - wishing you all the very best going forwards.
I like early (non-weight relieved) PRS Singlecuts. The combination of that solid body with the 25 inch scale & wraparound bridge makes for wonderful tone. #7 pickups need to be replaced with some PAFs.